What does the Fox say?

[Capt Worley PE]

Got a recommendation for a dirt cheap (<$300) laptop for use solely as a wifi internet/email computer (TWC Everyday low price for ISP).

Looking at a Motorola SBG6580 as modem/router.

Thoughts?

Sounds like a good setup. I do like the Moto SB modems and currently run one of the more elite models at home. And as much as I despise their business practices and lack of customer support, TWC is generally unmatched with respect to UL/DL speeds (not counting Google fiber). Good to hear from you CW.

Any recommendations for a cheap laptop? (Sorry, I didn't phrase the original question well).

I'm still around and still reading, but I've cut posting waaaaaay down across the interwebz.

Ya it sounded like you had already been given a recommendation for a laptop. You're going to be hard pressed to find a laptop for <$300 unless you try your luck at something used. Generally the base for bare min. specs is right around $400. Otherwise you are looking at a "netbook" which I would highly advise against. Another option if that is your price range would be a tablet with a detachable/remote keyboard and maybe a monitor as well. But even then your cost savings won't be that substantial. I just made some recommendations (in order of preference) for another friend who was on a pretty tight budget. Take a look and see if you have any further questions.

[SIZE=11pt]1. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9623345&CatId=4935[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]2. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9126288&CatId=4935[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]3. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]http://www.amazon.com/HP-350-G1-Performance-Professional/dp/B00Q3J64EI/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426708252&sr=1-4&keywords=hp+350+g1[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]4. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]http://www.amazon.com/HP-K4L54UT-Notebook-Graphics-Professional/dp/B00PG80KT2/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426708252&sr=1-2&keywords=hp+350+g1[/SIZE]

I'll have a look, thanks.

I figure office Depot/Max or Best Buy might also have a 'limited supply' promo for the sub $300 price.

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

Big thanks to KF for at least answering my texts last night about my crappy wifi. Managed to get it worked out through pure dumb luck, but KF certainly helped point me in the right direction!

 

[knight1fox3]

 

[csb]

Any printer recommendations?

Other than "use the one at work."

 

[knight1fox3]

LOL.

Canon has always been my go-to brand. Both on print quality and overall ink consumption. I've never owned a bad Canon printer. I'm also a fan of the multi-function network style printers (as opposed to directly connected to a PC). If you have any in mind, post a link and I can take a look.

 

[csb]

This one stood out to me http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MOSGIZC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3AULY979CJ7I3&coliid=IE7HDM6D3DLW4&psc=1 so I'm glad you said Canon. The ink thing looks excellent.

I have a Windows 8 computer, which makes one of my HP printers (an old workhorse I got for free) obsolete and the other HP printer I have just won't talk to any of the computers in the house anymore, plus USB was clunky as heck.

All I want to do is print text. I have no interest in at home photo printing.

Thank you!

 

[mudpuppy]

I bought a cheap laser printer 11 years ago and love it. I don't print a lot and when I had an ink printer the cartridges would dry out before I'd printed more than a few sheets. So I was wasting a lot of money on ink. In 11 years I've replaced the toner cartridge once, to the tune of $40. Much much much cheaper than all the ink I would have bought in the mean time.

The only down side for me is it's not color.

 

[csb]

Ooh, that might be the way to go. There's not a ton we're printing in color. My friend has a laser printer and she loves it.

 

[knight1fox3]

Laser printers do rock if you can find one that's affordable. Another downside though is if something malfunctions internally, parts/repair can be costly.

This one stood out to me http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MOSGIZC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3AULY979CJ7I3&coliid=IE7HDM6D3DLW4&psc=1 so I'm glad you said Canon. The ink thing looks excellent.

I have a Windows 8 computer, which makes one of my HP printers (an old workhorse I got for free) obsolete and the other HP printer I have just won't talk to any of the computers in the house anymore, plus USB was clunky as heck.

All I want to do is print text. I have no interest in at home photo printing.

Thank you!

Looks like a good one. But if you don't print photos, perhaps a laser printer is a better option. I really only print photos for when the parents/grandparents come over of if we get a nice frame from a vacation or something. Also, having a scanner at home is a must for me for grad school (and when LadyFox was in grad school).

I bought a cheap laser printer 11 years ago and love it. I don't print a lot and when I had an ink printer the cartridges would dry out before I'd printed more than a few sheets. So I was wasting a lot of money on ink. In 11 years I've replaced the toner cartridge once, to the tune of $40. Much much much cheaper than all the ink I would have bought in the mean time.
The only down side for me is it's not color.

Again this depends. Before grad school when we barely printed anything, I never had any of the canon cartridges dry up. Which is why I didn't mind paying more of a premium for the Canon brand. I can replace all the ink cartridges in my printer for $15 or less. Just have to know where to look.

 

[wilheldp_PE]

Another +1 for laser printers. I've had a Brother Wi-Fi laser printer for about 5 years now, and I just had to replace the original toner cartridge (which typically ship with less toner than replacement cartridges) last month. For infrequent printing, it can't be beat...ink dries out, but toner doesn't.

 

[mudpuppy]

The printer I had with the cartridges that seemed to keep going bad was a Canon, but it was from 1996 so things have probably changed since then.

 

[csb]

Nothing has changed since 1996. NOTHING.

Thanks for the input, everyone!

 

[Supe]

I grabbed a Canon MP495 some time ago. Super el-cheapo printer/scanner with wifi. POS. Chugs ink like I chug beer. It's a shame, because I am also a Canon fan. I think my next go-around will be a color laser that can print 11x17.

 

[MA_PE]

I bought an HP wifi copier/scanner/printer from BJs for <$100. It suits my needs pretty well. It will cycle itself periodically to keep the ink print heads from getting dried out. Figured for the money, WTH. I really can't complain about it. It will also act like a fax machine, but no one faxes anymore. You can get the photo ink cartridges and paper and do photos as well.

 

[knight1fox3]

Another +1 for laser printers. I've had a Brother Wi-Fi laser printer for about 5 years now, and I just had to replace the original toner cartridge (which typically ship with less toner than replacement cartridges) last month. For infrequent printing, it can't be beat...ink dries out, but toner doesn't.

Is it color? Also curious if you can print photos with it.

I grabbed a Canon MP495 some time ago. Super el-cheapo printer/scanner with wifi. POS. Chugs ink like I chug beer. It's a shame, because I am also a Canon fan. I think my next go-around will be a color laser that can print 11x17.

Yes Canon has it's share of duds. But you also have to read reviews.

 

[Supe]

No, I HAD to grab whatever was within arm's reach at WalMart when I needed to print out some legal docs late one evening when my old Epson took a dump!

 

[wilheldp_PE]

Another +1 for laser printers. I've had a Brother Wi-Fi laser printer for about 5 years now, and I just had to replace the original toner cartridge (which typically ship with less toner than replacement cartridges) last month. For infrequent printing, it can't be beat...ink dries out, but toner doesn't.

Is it color? Also curious if you can print photos with it.

No...B&W. I assume it would print photos as long as you didn't need them in color.

 

[engineergurl]

KF... I went with the Note 4

 

[knight1fox3]

KF... I went with the Note 4

Nice! How do you like it? I got LadyFox the Galaxy Tab S (8.4") for her b-day. She really likes it.

 

[engineergurl]

It's big but not heavy. Screen resolution is amazing and because I have one of the new Sim cards I get MUCH better signal at the house.